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How many Part 15 stations are there?

R

radio8z

Hello all,

It seems to me that Part 15 AM and FM and low power activities may be approaching a legal turning point. There is talk of microbroacasters who have been successful, questions posted about the technology, music license fees, LPAM, etc.

To have any real effect on legislation, there needs to be interest and numbers. I thought a survey would be helpful, but I realized that the number of Part 15 stations cannot be determined with accuracy. Even the listings of these stations are not reliable, as evidenced by the posts regarding BMI spam to stations which are listed and have been off the air for years, and the reluctance of some to be listed.

So, I suggest that the kit providers might be the best source of the numbers regarding Part 15 stations. Are any of you willing to give us an idea of your sales? If for some reason you decline, are you willing to give us a ball park number?

My best guess, based on nothing, is that there are 5000 casual users who use their transmitters for personal reasons, 2000 who use them for billboards and real estate, and 200 who are trying or are broadcasting to their communitites with real programming and really care if they have listeners.

Of course my numbers are fake and unreliable and based on my imagination rather than fact, but even if I am off by a factor of 10, there is no real political base for Part 15 to effect legislation.

Your comment and guesses are welcomed.

Neil
 
Hello Neil,

Talking House www.talkinghouse.com has sold more than 100,000 of their transmitters to realtors alone (see the FAQ section on their web site). TalkingSign www.talkingsign.com is also widely used by realtors.

This doesn't count all of the parks, tourist attractions, schools, churches, museums, car dealerships, restaurants, malls, airports (not all airports use licensed AM Travelers Information Stations, especially smaller ones), military bases, and marinas. ActRadio www.actradio.com and Information Station Specialists (ISS) www.theradiosource.com sell Talking House transmitters (called the "InfoMAX" by ISS) to these non-realtor users.

As you can see, we Part 15 AM radio station operators are just a small part of the larger Part 15 AM scene. -- JasonW

> Hello all,
>
> It seems to me that Part 15 AM and FM and low power
> activities may be approaching a legal turning point. There
> is talk of microbroacasters who have been successful,
> questions posted about the technology, music license fees,
> LPAM, etc.
>
> To have any real effect on legislation, there needs to be
> interest and numbers. I thought a survey would be helpful,
> but I realized that the number of Part 15 stations cannot be
> determined with accuracy. Even the listings of these
> stations are not reliable, as evidenced by the posts
> regarding BMI spam to stations which are listed and have
> been off the air for years, and the reluctance of some to be
> listed.
>
> So, I suggest that the kit providers might be the best
> source of the numbers regarding Part 15 stations. Are any
> of you willing to give us an idea of your sales? If for
> some reason you decline, are you willing to give us a ball
> park number?
>
> My best guess, based on nothing, is that there are 5000
> casual users who use their transmitters for personal
> reasons, 2000 who use them for billboards and real estate,
> and 200 who are trying or are broadcasting to their
> communitites with real programming and really care if they
> have listeners.
>
> Of course my numbers are fake and unreliable and based on my
> imagination rather than fact, but even if I am off by a
> factor of 10, there is no real political base for Part 15 to
> effect legislation.
>
> Your comment and guesses are welcomed.
>
> Neil
>
 
> To have any real effect on legislation, there needs to be
> interest and numbers. I thought a survey would be helpful,
> but I realized that the number of Part 15 stations cannot be
> determined with accuracy. Even the listings of these
> stations are not reliable, as evidenced by the posts
> regarding BMI spam to stations which are listed and have
> been off the air for years, and the reluctance of some to be
> listed.

Our recent announcement of collecting general Part 15 AM station data was being done for this exact reason. We have an interest in the number of Part 15 stations operating (in a "non-utility" mode) throughout the country. You have some pretty big names in low power radio right now (Amherst, REC, etc.) backing Part 15 enhancements. Now, we would like to get some bigger names (Prometheus, NLG, etc.) to come on board.

If you check out our reply comments in RM-11287, we have been looking at the regulatory model for low power FM transmitters in New Zealand and we think that a similar model could be applied in the expanded AM band.

In New Zealand:
- On FM, up to 500 mW unlicensed transmitters may be used.
- Specific spot frequencies around 88MHz and 107MHz may be used.
- There are restrictions on the spacing of transmitters carrying the same programming.
- Contact information of the station's operator must be broadcast every 3 hours.
- There is no interference protection between low power transmitters.
- There does not appear to be a restriction on commercial vs. non-commercial service.

There is an organization that acts as a de-facto frequency coordinator where stations can voluntarily register their information and the organization will provide assistance in finding an appropriate channel for their operations.

In the USA, we would have to take into consideration that there are full power and TIS stations in the extended band where in NZ, it appears that this band is clear of full power stations (one note is made where specific frequencies are not available within a certain distance of Auckland).

One of the primary problems in the USA is that the major corporations (Clear Channel, Vicom, etc.) have too much influence where even if the thought of something like this will be the "death of full power AM radio". With corporations like Clear Channel seeking additional liberation on ownership restrictions and public interest obligations, this is a good time to be looking for some positive change to enhance license free low power radio.

Also in the comments, you will see a new organization called RADIO READY TO GROW that has spawned from the joint petitioners. RRTG is looking for some immediate enhancements to Part 15 AM by allowing powers up to 1 watt. Even though we have concerns about new utility applications (talking signs, car dealers, etc.) that could come out of a 1 watt Part 15 AM service, REC has signed on to RRTG. We feel this is a step in the right direction.

Stay tuned!

ec

http://www.LPAM.WS
 
> Also in the comments, you will see a new organization called
> RADIO READY TO GROW that has spawned from the joint
> petitioners. RRTG is looking for some immediate
> enhancements to Part 15 AM by allowing powers up to 1 watt.
> Even though we have concerns about new utility applications
> (talking signs, car dealers, etc.) that could come out of a
> 1 watt Part 15 AM service, REC has signed on to RRTG. We
> feel this is a step in the right direction.

Having just read over RRTG's proposal, I had to smile at their audacity in asking the FCC for 1-watt for Part-15 AM use. It's a great idea and, along with increasing the power levels for Part-15 FM (500mw ?), could actually be in the FCC's interest. It just might cut down on (but not eliminate) the pirate activity which has been plaguing the agency.

While they were at it, RRTG should have asked for a little more antenna height for Part-15 AM broadcasters; 6 or 9 meters, perhaps?

db
 
I would love to see part 15 FM change to 1 to 2 watts or more antenna 40ft to 60ft high but that will not happen. When most FM stations die @ satellite radio becomes more popular in the next 5 to 7 years the FCC should increase part 15 AM & FM to a decent ammount to be listenable will have to see if they do it.<P ID="signature">______________
Radio Pirates Forum http://www.phpbbforfree.com/forums/index.php?mforum=radiopirates Phat Beats Radio http://209.82.178.23:9000/listen.pls 128kbps http://209.82.178.23:9100/listen.pls 56kbps</P>
 
Painless process....

Thank you Rich for allowing me to register my station with RECNET....

Based on former references to the contrary, I can't see how your collection of Part15 data can be used by anyone to harm it's registered members... It really is paranoia that some don't want to register.

Thanks again...

Radiopilot
 
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